Frequently Asked Questions
Solar
Q.
How do solar panels work?
A.
You can power your home or business with clean, affordable energy thanks to the unique way solar panels work. Westchester NY, Rockland, and the tri-state area receive enough sunlight to create all or most of the electricity you need. When that sunlight hits your solar panels during the day, it is converted into direct current (DC) electricity. Inverters convert DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity, used to power your lights, electronics, and other household appliances. Any excess electricity you create is pushed back into the utility grid. Your meter “spins backwards” and you’re credited on your utility bill at the full retail electric rate, a process known as net metering. Learn more here
Q.
Why switch to solar?
A.
Solar is a safe, affordable, and sustainable way to power your home. Best of all, you’ll realize substantial savings with efficient solar panel design. Westchester, NY utility rates are significantly higher than the national average. By switching to solar you are essentially creating your own low-maintenance, renewable energy utility that will lower your bills while helping the environment. Learn more here
Q.
Is solar right for my home?
A.
Several factors determine if your home or business is a fit for solar: orientation, pitch, and shading. Ideally, your roof will be south-facing; however, we can generally install panels on east- and west-facing roofs as well. When you contact us, a SunBlue representative will evaluate your home’s solar potential, and, should your home be a candidate for solar, let you know about ways to maximize your system’s energy production. Learn more here
Q.
Are solar panels safe?
A.
Yes. All of our installers are OSHA-certified and follow best practices in installing your panels. We use safe, UL-tested, state-of-the-art technology, and various inspections are performed throughout the process. Learn more here
Q.
My roof doesn’t exactly face south. Can I still go Solar?
A.
Yes, depending on shading and the orientation and pitch of your roof. We won’t install panels on a north-facing roof. Learn more here
Q.
I have several trees on my property. What are my options?
A.
Depending on the extent of the shading, we may recommend trimming or cutting trees. A SunBlue representative will review your options with you for maximizing your system’s energy production. Learn more here
Q.
How does solar energy help offset my carbon footprint?
A.
When you use solar energy, you’re not using fossil fuels to generate electricity, and you’re reducing our collective dependence on foreign energy sources. The average solar system is equivalent to taking a car off the road or planting an acre of trees every one to two years.
Q.
How long will the installation take?
A.
The average residential installation will take less than a week, while the time to complete a commercial installation varies. The application and approval process, however, may take two to three months. We always push applications through as quickly as possible. Because we work locally, we are familiar with local municipalities and their procedures, which helps to streamline the process. Learn more here
Q.
What if there’s a power outage? Do I need a battery?
A.
If there’s an outage, the inverters will automatically shut off as a safety feature. Your solar system is tied to the utility grid, so that you can receive electricity at night or during times of inclement weather. Should the grid go down, you won’t receive electricity from your utility company until it’s back up. While we don’t generally recommend a battery backup system, we can provide some backup even without batteries. In some cases, your needs may be better met with a generator that can supply the entire home’s requirements. Learn more here
Q.
How long will my solar system last?
A.
Your solar panels’ performance is guaranteed for 25 years, although they often will produce electricity for 30 to 40 years. Warranties cover inverters for 10 to 25 years, depending on the type used. Learn more here
Q.
Should I add my Solar Panels to my Home Insurance?
A.
Yes, we recommend this. Learn more here
Pricing
Q.
How much can I save?
A.
With customized solar panel design, New York State customers can see substantial savings on their monthly utility bills. We strive to optimize your system’s performance so that its production offsets 50 to 80 percent of your electric bill. Some customers are able to offset 100 percent (or more) of their bill. Learn More here
Q.
What sort of financing options do you offer?
A.
At SunBlue, we offer many ways to help you finance your residential or commercial system. By combining NYSERDA’s On-Bill Recovery loan with a Same as Cash loan, SunBlue customers can purchase their solar energy systems for no money down. We also offer solar leases and power purchase agreements, for those customers who want to take advantage of solar without purchasing a system. In addition, the federal and state governments offer various rebates and tax advantages for residential and commercial solar projects.
Q.
Should I buy or lease?
A.
If you’re able to take advantage of the generous tax credits offered by the government, then purchasing allows you to save more money over the life of the system. If you don’t benefit from the tax advantages (for example, you’re retired or don’t earn enough taxable income), then you may consider a power purchase agreement (PPA) for your residential system or a solar lease or PPA for your commercial project. A PPA is like a lease, but offers more advantages, in that you only pay for the kilowatt-hours your system produces.
Q.
How will solar panels affect my property value?
A.
Purchasing a solar energy system will increase your property value by $10,000 or more. Recent data shows that homes with solar sell for $15,000 more than those without. Learn more here
Q.
How am I compensated for the extra energy I produce?
A.
Your utility company will credit you monthly on your bill for the excess electricity you create, at the retail rate. Once a year, if your annual production exceeds your usage, you will be compensated for the excess electricity at the wholesale rate. In order to qualify for a rebate from the New York State incentive program, your system must not create more than 110 percent of your annual usage. Learn more here
Q.
Do you offer a referral bonus?
A.
Yes, we offer a generous $1,000 bonus if a customer referred by you signs with SunBlue Energy! We believe in partnering with our customers and building relationships. In fact, much of our business is referred to us by satisfied SunBlue customers. Ask one of our expert sales associates about our referral program to learn more.
Learn more here
Q.
How can I get a free estimate?
A.
Contact us today online or at 914-222-3510 for a free estimate from SunBlue Energy, the top-rated of Westchester solar companies. Learn more here
How It Works
Q.
How are the panels attached to the roof?
A.
At SunBlue, we use Quick Mount PV flashings to ensure a waterproof connection to the roof and industry-leading Unirac racking to securely mount the system to the roof. Our technical experience with all types of roofs assures you of the highest-quality solar installation. Learn more here
Q.
How do solar panels convert sunlight into energy?
A.
Photons in the sunlight displace electrons in the outer shells of atoms in your photovoltaic (PV) panels. The movement creates a direct current (DC electricity) until the light stops. The inverters then convert this to the alternating current (AC) energy you need to power your home.
Q.
What is net metering?
A.
Your system creates electricity during the day, as the sunlight hits your solar panels. If you produce more electricity than you use, the excess gets pushed back into the grid, and you are credited at the retail rate by your utility company. This is known as net metering. Learn more here
Q.
How should I clean the solar panels?
A.
You don’t need to clean your panels to ensure your solar panels work. Westchester, NY and Tri-state area customers are fortunate to enjoy weather that naturally cares for your solar panels. Learn more here
Q.
What happens if it snows? Will my solar panels still work?
A.
Light snow will melt off the panels once sufficient sunlight filters through to warm them up. Heavier snow will lessen energy production; however, our electrical production estimates account for snowfall, taking into account 30 years of meteorological data. We recommend simply letting the snow melt and not interfering with the panels. Learn more here
Q.
Can I install solar panels on other structures besides my house?
A.
We can install panels on many different structures. We’ve installed panels on barns, garages, and even sheds. Learn more here
Q.
What types of solar panels does SunBlue use?
A.
We select our panels from companies we know are reliable and will be in business for the long haul. We want to make sure your system will last, so we make sure to use equipment that will be reliable for our customers. Learn more here
Q.
How do I know my solar panels are functioning properly?
A.
We have different technologies to let us know how the system is functioning. If you had a panel that was not working correctly or if your system performance was down, we would get an alert. We would then address the situation to get the system working properly again. Learn more here
Flip The Switch To Solar Today
Call today at (914) 222-3510 or drop us a line to see how much you can save by switching to solar.
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